National Guard ordered out of Ferguson as racial tensions ease

Updated
Fri Aug 22 12:59:35 EST 2014

Photo

A police helicopter lands in the staging area for National Guard troops in Ferguson

Reuters: Adrees Latif

The governor of Missouri on Thursday ordered the withdrawal of National Guard troops from riot-torn Ferguson, where tensions have started to ease after violent protests were staged nightly since police killed an unarmed black teenager.

Peaceful demonstrations overnight were the calmest street gatherings in the small St Louis suburb since riots erupted over the August 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer.

The controversial shooting by Darren Wilson prompted angry demonstrations along with looting and random gunfire from largely black crowds.

Police used tear gas and heavy armoured vehicles to clear the streets and the Missouri National Guard was called in to help.

But the crowds have thinned and the mood is decidedly less tense.

Police said six people were arrested overnight - far fewer than the scores detained on earlier nights of racial unrest.

Governor Jay Nixon ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from Ferguson, saying in a statement: "We continue to see improvement."

Ferguson is predominantly black, but its police force, political leadership and public education administration are dominated by whites.

Activists and demonstrators have complained that Brown's death was the culmination of years of unfair police targeting of blacks.

In Washington, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill announced she would lead a Senate hearing next month to look at the militarisation of local police departments.

A US military program that sends armoured cars, camouflage and other battlefield equipment to police departments has come under scrutiny as the protesters in Ferguson have been met by heavily armed police clad in body armour and driving heavy armoured vehicles.

US Attorney General Eric Holder said such displays should stop.

"At a time when we must seek to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the local community, I am deeply concerned that the deployment of military equipment and vehicles sends a conflicting message," Mr Holder said last week.

A grand jury met on Wednesday to begin hearing evidence in the Brown case.

The process could run into October before the panel releases its findings, St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch said.

Mr McCulloch, who is responsible for deciding whether to pursue criminal charges against the police officer, has promised an impartial investigation.

Call for special prosecutor

Frustrated by the pace of the process, protesters outside Mr McCulloch's office in nearby Clayton called for his removal from the case.

They want the appointment of a special prosecutor, an expedited grand jury proceeding and the immediate arrest of Mr Wilson, who has been placed on leave.

State Senator Jamilah Nasheed arrived at McCulloch's office to deliver petitions calling for his ousting.

"I am here to deliver a message to Bob McCulloch that the people do not have any confidence in him," Ms Nasheed said.

"The people's opinion is that he totally has no ability to do the right thing."